Police visibility heightened amid Diepsloot protests

Residents are angry over the lack of visible policing in the area following the murder of a community leader.

Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili says during the night law enforcement agencies patrol with blue lights for visibility but they’re not able to access all areas.

“These are mostly residents from informal settlements that have challenges with environmental design. Police vehicles are not able to get into those congested areas for patrols especially at night as there is no electricity. During the day, there are foot patrols by all law enforcement agencies (police, crime wardens, metro police as well as CPF and patrollers).

"The station management will continue to engage the community leaders and community-based structures as well as other departments (Home Affairs, Housing, municipality etc) to find long term solutions to the service delivery issues in Diepsloot.

"In terms of crime, I can confirm that there were six murders in Diepsloot since the beginning of June."

Muridili adds that there have been six murders reported in the area since the start of the month.

"We have made several arrests including six suspects in a case of attempted murder and house robbery, one for attempted murder case, three suspects in three separate cases of armed robbery, five for pointing of firearm (the firearm is one of the 14 that have been seized in Diepsloot since April), 82 people for drinking in public as they end up being targeted by armed robbers, closed two illegal shebeens that are generators of common robberies, assault GBH, GBV and domestic violence."

Protesters have vowed to continue with demonstrations until President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses them.

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